Former Chippy mayor prepares for South Pole with Everest trek

A FORMER mayor of Chipping Norton and triple Guinness World Record holder is on her way to Everest Basecamp in preparation for an amazing expedition to the South Pole.

Jan Meek, who is an international public speaker, is heading up a group from the Unfinished Business Society, who are trekking to the base of the world highest mountain.

She is joined by experienced adventurer and business entrepreneur, Roger Davies, and a team of eight adventurers who left London on April 3 for the 18-day trek to reach the summit at Everest Basecamp.

The journey is the start of the pairs's preparation for an Unfinished Business Society’s expedition to the South Pole in November and December next year.

They hope to mirror - but this time complete - the unfinished South Pole journey of TomCrean, forgotten explorer and compatriot of Scott and Shackleton.

Mrs Meek, who was the first female chairman of the Chipping Norton Chamber of Commerce, said:

"Altitude training is key to any South Pole success, this is our start. Our next hurdle is Kilimanjaro in September this year part of my own unfinished business agenda.”

The duo founded Unfinished Business Society earlier this year to help people realise their personal and charitable goals through organising exciting adventures all around the globe.

“We wanted to avoid the almost commercial extreme adventure approach and ensure that all the society expedition groups were made up of interesting people committed to the challenge," said Mrs Meek. "And they are prepared to contribute to the well being of others through charitable giving and our schools speakers programme.

"This is not an easy trek and final part is especially challenging, but it is very rewarding once you see the spectacular view from the top. It is something that stays with you forever”.

Seventeen-years ago, Mrs Meek spent 101 days rowing across the Atlantic with her son Dan Byles, who is now MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth.

And 10 years later, she walked to the Magnetic North Pole with him and the following year she walked to the Geographic North Pole.

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